JP2001242570A - Radiograph information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely prevent entry of dust or the like into a reading part, and to enable highly accurate image reading processing. SOLUTION: The device is equipped with the reading part 82 which reads radiograph information recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet S, an erasing part 84 which erases radiograph information remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet S after reading, a circulatory transportation system 86 which transports the stimulable phosphor sheet S within the device main body 14, a first main body part 20 in which at least the erasing part 84 and the circulatory transportation system 86 are housed, and a second main body part 22 which houses the reading part 82 and is separately constituted from the first main body part 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radiation image information reading apparatus for reading radiation image information of a subject using a stimulable phosphor sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, stimulable phosphors (stimulable phosphors)
There is known a system that once records radiation image information of a subject such as a human body, reproduces the radiation image information on a photographic photosensitive material such as a photographic film, or outputs a visible image on a CRT or the like. I have.

The stimulable phosphor is composed of radiation (X-ray, α-ray, γ
(Rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), a part of this radiation energy is accumulated, and after irradiation with excitation light such as visible light, a phosphor that emits stimulated emission according to the accumulated energy is referred to. This stimulable phosphor is usually used as a sheet-like stimulable phosphor sheet because of its easy handling.

In the above-mentioned system, for example, a photographing section for temporarily recording radiation image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with the radiation image information recorded thereon with excitation light to emit the excitation light. A reading unit that photoelectrically reads the radiation image information, and an erasing unit that erases the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after reading the radiation image information are integrally incorporated, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is A so-called built-in type radiation image information reading apparatus that circulates or reciprocates in the apparatus is employed.

Further, a loading section in which a stimulable phosphor sheet preliminarily recording radiation image information of a subject is loaded via a cassette or a magazine, and excitation light is supplied to the stimulable phosphor sheet taken out of the loading section. A radiation image information reading device incorporating a reading unit that irradiates the radiation image information and reads the radiation image information photoelectrically, and an erasing unit that erases the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after reading the radiation image information is provided. Used.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned radiation image information reading apparatus, dust which has entered the reading section via a transport system or the like or dust which has adhered to the stimulable phosphor sheet is used to remove the stimulable phosphor sheet from the stimulable phosphor sheet. It has been pointed out that a problem occurs in the read image. Further, there is a problem that the vibration of the transport system is transmitted to the reading unit, and the read image is blurred.

The present invention solves this kind of problem and provides a radiation image information reading apparatus capable of reliably preventing dust and the like from entering a reading section and performing high quality image reading processing. The purpose is to:

[0008]

In the radiation image information reading apparatus according to the present invention, at least the erasing section and the transport system are accommodated in the first main body, and the reading section is provided in the first main body.
It is accommodated in a second main body configured separately from the main body. For this reason, the first main body and the second main body can be completely separated from each other, so that the inside of the second main body is, for example, sealed so that dust or the like enters the reading section. Can be prevented.

Here, between the first main body and the second main body, first and / or second cleaning means are arranged corresponding to the entrance and / or the exit of the stimulable phosphor sheet. . Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent dust or the like generated in the first main body from entering the second main body, and an image abnormality occurs when reading the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet. Therefore, a high-quality read image can be efficiently obtained.

[0010] The first main body and the second main body are individually installed on the installation surface. Accordingly, the vibration of the transport system accommodated in the first main body is not transmitted to the second main body, and the image read via the reading unit accommodated in the second main body is blurred or the like. This can be reliably prevented.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a radiation image information reading apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the schematic internal configuration of the radiation image information reading apparatus 10.

The radiation image information reading apparatus 10 has an apparatus main body 14 disposed on a floor (installation surface) 12 and an imaging apparatus in which a subject, for example, a patient, is directly placed in a recumbent position (lying position). A table 16 and an elevating mechanism 18 that raises and lowers the imaging table 16 with respect to the apparatus main body 14 are provided. Device body 1
4 includes a first main body 20 that accommodates the elevating mechanism 18 and a second main body 22 that is configured separately from the first main body 20. The second main body 22 includes a controller 24 and a switch. The unit 26 is connected.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lifting mechanism 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes first swing arms 30a and 30b which are swingably supported at one end of the first main body 20 (a side away from the second main body 22) via support shafts 28a and 28b; On the other end side (the side close to the second main body portion 22) of the one main body portion 20, there are provided second swing arms 34a and 34b supported to be swingable via support shafts 32a and 32b. First swing arm 3
The connecting shafts 36a and 36b are attached to the substantially central portions of the first and second swing arms 34a and 34b.
The swinging distal ends of the first swinging arms 30a and 30b and the second swinging arms 34a and 34b are engaged with the bottom of an elevating base 38 constituting the imaging table 16.

The first swing arms 30a, 30b have hydraulic cylinders 40a, 40b close to the support shafts 28a, 28b.
Are mounted, and rods 42a and 42b extending from the hydraulic cylinders 40a and 40b are attached to mounting members 44.
a and 44b are connected to the upper ends of the second swing arms 34a and 34b. Hydraulic cylinders 40a, 40b
Is a hydraulic unit 46 incorporating valves and pumps.
Is controlled by

A bellows member 48 having a dustproof and light-shielding function is fixed to the upper and lower bases 38 and the upper part of the first main body 20 so as to be extendable and contractible. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevating base 38 has a top plate portion that can move forward and backward in the short direction (arrow X direction) of the first main body 20 and the arrow Y direction (longitudinal direction) perpendicular to the arrow X direction. 52 are provided.

A linear touch switch 54 is fixed along both sides of the top plate 52 in the direction of the arrow X. The touch switch 54 controls ON / OFF of a lock unit (not shown) for locking the top panel 52. While the touch switch 54 is pressed, the top panel 52 is pressed.
Has been unlocked. The top plate 52 is provided with a cover member 56 located outside the touch switch 54.

As shown in FIG. 2, the elevating base 38 is provided with an imaging section 80 for temporarily recording the radiation image information of the subject on the stimulable phosphor sheet S, while the apparatus main body 14 is provided with the radiation image. A reading unit 82 for irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet S in which information is stored with laser light L as excitation light to read the radiation image information photoelectrically, and remains on the stimulable phosphor sheet S after reading. An erasing unit 84 for erasing the radiation image information to be erased, and, for example, three stimulable phosphor sheets S in the radiation image information reading apparatus 10.
And a circulating transport system 86 for circulating.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stimulable phosphor sheet S
Is circulated and conveyed by sandwiching only the ears Sa and Sb provided on both sides. Reinforcing plates 88a and 88b are fixed to the back side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing section 80 includes a positioning member 90 for positioning the stimulable phosphor sheet S.
And a pressing plate 94 that is swingable through a fulcrum 92 for holding the stimulable phosphor sheet S in the photographing unit 80. A roller pair 100a constituting the circulating transport system 86 is disposed near the entrance of the photographing unit 80. The roller pair 100b is separated from the roller pair 100a by a predetermined distance.
Is provided. The roller pairs 100a and 100b are supported by the elevating base 38 and move up and down integrally with the elevating base 38.

In the first main body 20, a plurality of roller pairs 102 constituting a circulating transport system 86 are arranged.
A roller pair 104 independent of the circulation conveyance system 86 is disposed in the second main body 22. Roller pair 100a, 100
b, 102 and 104 are configured to convey only the ears Sa and Sb of the stimulable phosphor sheet S.

The circulating transport system 86 includes a vertical transport path 106 extending vertically from the photographing section 80 and a vertical transport path 10.
6 and a horizontal conveying path 108 extending horizontally from the lower end to the roller pair 104. After the traveling direction is changed by 180 ° by the roller pair 104, it passes through the reading unit 82 and is Conveyance path 110 extending to
And a switchback transport path 112 connected to the vertical transport path 106 by performing switchback after changing the traveling direction by 180 ° at the tip of the inclined transport path 110. In the switchback transport path 112, a pair of rollers 114 that can rotate forward and backward are arranged.

The circulating transport system 86 has three stimulable phosphor sheets S.
As one standby position, a first standby position ST1 which is a setting position of the photographing unit 80, a second standby position ST2 arranged on the horizontal transport path 108, and a third standby position ST3 arranged on the erasing unit 84 are provided. Can be

The reading section 82 is provided in the second main body section 22, and is provided with a sub-scanning conveyance means 120 for sub-scanning and conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet S in the horizontal direction (direction of arrow A), and a sub-scanning conveyance. A laser beam irradiating means (excitation light irradiating means) 122 for irradiating a laser beam L as excitation light in a substantially vertical direction onto the stimulable phosphor sheet S to perform main scanning; First and second light condensing systems 124 and 126 for photoelectrically reading stimulated emission light generated from the phosphor sheet S are provided.

The sub-scanning / conveying means 120 includes first and second roller pairs 128 and 130 which are driven to rotate in synchronization with each other.
Is provided. The first light condensing system 124 includes the stimulable phosphor sheet S
A first light guide 132a arranged along the main scanning line at the irradiation position of the laser beam L on the recording surface of the first light guide 132a, and a first photomultiplier 134a mounted on the first light guide 132a. The second light condensing system 126 is disposed on the back side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S along a main scanning line.
A light guide 132b and a second photomultiplier 134b attached to an end of the second light guide 132b are provided.

The erasing section 84 includes a first erasing unit 140a arranged on the recording surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S and a second erasing unit 140b arranged on the back side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S. Prepare. The erasing light sources 14 are provided in the first and second erasing units 140a and 140b, respectively.
2a and 142b are arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first main body 20 and the second main body 22 are separately installed on the floor surface 12, and the second main body 22 has First
Entrance 144 of stimulable phosphor sheet S to main body 20
The first cleaning means 148 and the second cleaning means 150 are disposed corresponding to the outlet 146.

The first cleaning means 148 includes a casing 152
And a first and second brush roller pair 154a and 154b disposed in the casing 152. First
Brush roller pair 154a and second brush roller pair 154b
Are rotated in opposite directions to each other, and are configured to scrape dust and the like adhering to the stimulable phosphor sheet S between the first and second brush roller pairs 154a and 154b.

The second cleaning means 150 includes a casing 156 fixed to the second main body 22, and the casing 156.
And a brush member 158 for contacting the stimulable phosphor sheet S and for preventing dust and the like from entering the casing 156 from the first main body 20 side.
a, 158b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 24
Lamp group 160 having a plurality of lamps and display 1
62 and a shooting size display lamp group 163 with a switching key
And an operation panel 164 provided with. When the power is turned on by operating a console (not shown),
When the photographing size is selected, the lamp groups 160 and 163
Are displayed on the display 162, and the ID number and patient name of the patient registered on the console or a photographing menu are displayed on the display 162.

The switch unit 26 includes a first unlocking foot switch 170 for moving the top plate 52 constituting the imaging table 16 in the horizontal direction, and a lowering foot switch 170 for lowering the imaging table 16. A second foot switch 172, a third foot switch 174 for raising the imaging table 16, and a fourth foot switch 176 for emergency stop forcibly stopping the elevating operation of the imaging table 16. . An X-ray irradiator 182 is arranged above the top plate 52.

The operation of the radiation image information reading apparatus 10 thus configured will be described below.

First, an ID card in which ID information such as an ID number and a name of a patient are recorded is created, and the ID card is read by a console (not shown). In this console, the user selects an imaging part such as the chest and abdomen and an imaging menu. Further, a photographing size is selected as needed, and then the patient as a subject is photographed on the photographing table 16.
Place on top.

At this time, the height position (in the direction of arrow Z) of the imaging table 16 is adjusted according to the condition of the patient, the height of the patient, or the transport mode of a wheelchair or a stretcher. Specifically, when the operator steps on the second foot switch 172, the hydraulic cylinders 40a and 40b are driven via the hydraulic unit 46 constituting the lifting mechanism 18 (see FIG. 3). For this reason, the rods 42a and 42b of the hydraulic cylinders 40a and 40b move inward,
The second swing arms 34a, 34b connected to the mounting shafts 2a, 2b via mounting members 44a, 44b are connected to the support shafts 32a, 3b.
It swings downward with 2b as a fulcrum.

The first swing arms 30a, 30b are connected to the second swing arms 34a, 34b via connecting shafts 36a, 36b.
b is connected to the second swing arm 34a, 34
b swings downward, the first swing arm 30
a and 30b swing downward about the support shafts 28a and 28b. As a result, the elevating base 38 moves downward, and the imaging table 16 descends.

On the other hand, the operator operates the third foot switch 174.
, The hydraulic cylinder 40 via the hydraulic unit 46
a and 40b are driven in the opposite direction to the above. For this reason,
First swing arm 30a, 30b and second swing arm 3
The elevating base 38 supported by 4a and 34b moves upward, and the imaging table 16 moves up.

As described above, the height of the imaging table 16 is adjusted so that the patient can easily get on the top 52. Then, in a state where the patient is lying on the top 52 in a lying position (lying position), the operator selectively operates the second foot switch 172 or the third foot switch 174 to cause the top 52 to move. Adjust the height to a position that is easy to work. Further, the operator operates the first foot switch 170 or the touch switch 5 provided on the top plate 52.
By continuing to turn ON the lock of the top plate 52 is released.

Therefore, for example, while the operator keeps pressing the touch switch 54, the top plate 52 is moved back and forth, right and left (arrow X
Direction and the arrow Y direction) to adjust the position of the patient so that the imaging region of the patient enters the irradiation frame of the X-ray irradiation unit 182. After the patient's imaging region is positioned, the hand is released from the touch switch 54, and the top plate 52 is locked immovably.

Next, the X-ray irradiating means 182 is driven, and the radiation image information of the patient is recorded (photographed) on the stimulable phosphor sheet S arranged in the photographing section 80. At this time, the other stimulable phosphor sheets S are placed in the second and third standby positions ST.
2, ST3.

The stimulable phosphor sheet S after the photographing process is taken out of the photographing section 80 with the ears Sa and Sb held therebetween under the rotation of the roller pair 100a constituting the circulating transport system 86, and is taken out from the photographing section 80. , 102 and transferred from the vertical transport path 106 to the horizontal transport path 108 (see FIG. 4). Further, the stimulable phosphor sheet S is conveyed from the first main body 20 to the second main body 22 under the rotating action of the plurality of roller pairs 102, and passes upward through the roller pair 104.
After the conveyance direction is changed by ゜, the image is sent to the sub-scanning conveyance means 120 constituting the reading unit 82.

In the sub-scanning conveyance means 120, the first and second roller pairs 128,
130 is synchronously driven to rotate and the stimulable phosphor sheet S
Is transported in the sub-scanning direction in the direction of arrow A with the ear portions Sa and Sb being sandwiched between the first and second roller pairs 128 and 130. At that time, the laser beam L is derived from the laser beam irradiating means 122 and is irradiated on the recording surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S to perform main scanning.

Thus, the stimulated emission light emitted from the recording surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S is photoelectrically read by the first light condensing system 124, and is transmitted through the transparent base surface to transmit the stimulable phosphor sheet S. The stimulated emission light emitted from the back side of the body sheet S is photoelectrically read by the second light collection system 126.

The stimulable phosphor sheet S after the reading process
Is transported from the second main body portion 22 to the first main body portion 20 side,
The sheet is sent to the erasing section 84 along the inclined conveyance path 110. In the erasing section 84, the first and second erasing units 140
a, 140b constituting erasing light sources 142a, 142b
The erasing light is applied to both surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet S through the irradiating device, and the erasing process of the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet S is quickly performed.

After the erasing process, the stimulable phosphor sheet S is sent from the inclined conveyance path 110 to the switchback conveyance path 112 by changing the conveyance direction by approximately 180 ° downward. Roller pair 114 constituting this switchback conveyance path 112
Is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the stimulable phosphor sheet S
From the switchback transport path 112 to the vertical transport path 106
And is again arranged in the photographing unit 80 via the roller pair 100a, 100b.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the first main body 2
0 and the second main body 22 are individually configured, and only the reading section 82 is accommodated in the second main body 22. For this reason, the reading unit 82 is reliably separated from the imaging unit 80, the elevating mechanism 18, the erasing unit 84, and the circulating transport system 86. For example, the first and second main units 20, 22
Are individually installed on the floor surface 12, vibrations of the elevating mechanism 18 and the circulating transport system 86, and vibrations generated when a patient gets on and off the imaging table 16 are read by the reading unit 8.
It doesn't get through to 2. Therefore, in the reading unit 82,
The stimulable phosphor sheet S can be sub-scanned and conveyed in the direction of arrow A with high precision, and the effect of effectively improving the reading accuracy of the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet S is obtained. .

Furthermore, the entrance 144 of the second main body 22
And the outlet 146 are provided with the first and second cleaning means 14.
8, 150 are provided. For this reason, when the stimulable phosphor sheet S is transported from the first main body 20 to the second main body 22, the casing 15 constituting the first cleaning means 148 is formed.
The first and second brush roller pairs 154a and 154b, which are rotationally driven in opposite directions in the roller 2, roll on both surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet S (see FIG. 5). As a result, dust and the like adhering to both surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet S are removed from the first and second brush roller pairs 154a and 154b.
, And the dust or the like can be reliably prevented from being brought into the second main body 22 via the stimulable phosphor sheet S.

On the other hand, when the stimulable phosphor sheet S after the reading process is carried into the first main body 20 from the second main body 22, the stimulable phosphor sheet S is removed by the second cleaning means 150.
Are delivered to the first main body 20 while slidingly contacting brush members 158a and 158b provided in a casing 156 constituting the first main body 20. The brush members 158a, 158
b is the first when the stimulable phosphor sheet S does not pass through.
The casing 156 is inserted into the second main body 22 from the main body 20 side.
Has a function of preventing dust and the like from entering through the opening.

Thus, in the present embodiment, dust and the like do not enter the reading section 82 and do not adhere to the stimulable phosphor sheet S being read by the reading section 82. An advantage is obtained in that abnormalities are prevented from occurring in the radiation image information read from the stimulable phosphor sheet S, and a highly accurate read image can be efficiently obtained.

Although the present embodiment has been described using the built-in type radiation image information reading apparatus 10 in which the stimulable phosphor sheet S is circulated in the apparatus main body 14, the present invention is not limited to this. The stimulable phosphor sheet S can be applied to a radiation image information reading apparatus of a type that is loaded via a cassette, a magazine, or the like.

[0049]

In the radiographic image information reading apparatus according to the present invention, a second main body is provided which is provided at least separately from the first main body in which the erasing section and the transport system are accommodated.
Since the reading section is accommodated in the main body, the reading section can be effectively separated from the erasing section and the transport system. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent dust and the like from entering the reading unit from the first main body unit side, and to prevent the vibration of the transport system or the like from being transmitted to the reading unit. Thus, the operation of reading the radiation image information with high accuracy is efficiently and reliably performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a radiation image information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing an internal configuration of the radiation image information reading device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an apparatus main body and an imaging table which constitute the radiation image information reading apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stimulable phosphor sheet.

FIG. 5 is an internal explanatory view of the apparatus main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Radiation image information reading apparatus 12 ... Floor surface 14 ... Device main body 16 ... Imaging stand 18 ... Elevating mechanism 20, 22 ... Main body part 24 ... Controller 26 ... Switch part 40a, 40b ... Hydraulic cylinder 52 ... Top plate part 80 ... Photographing Unit 82 reading unit 84 erasing unit 86 circulating conveying system 120 sub-scanning conveying unit 122 laser beam irradiating units 124 and 126 condensing systems 148 and 150
... Cleaning means 152, 156 ... Casing 154a, 15
4b: brush roller pair 158a, 158b: brush member S: stimulable phosphor sheet Sa, Sb: ear

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reading section for irradiating excitation light to a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation image information is recorded to read the radiation image information photoelectrically, and a radiographic image remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after the reading. An erasing section for erasing information; a transport system for transporting the stimulable phosphor sheet; a first main body section containing at least the erasing section and the transport system; and a first main body containing the reading section. A radiation image information reading apparatus, comprising: a second main body configured separately from the first main body; 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second main body has a first and / or a first and / or an outlet corresponding to an entrance and / or an exit of the stimulable phosphor sheet with respect to the first main body.
Alternatively, a radiation image information reading device, wherein a second cleaning unit is disposed. 3. The radiation image information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first main body and the second main body are individually installed on an installation surface.